DOHA -- Japan's Samurai Blue pulled off its second shock of the Qatar World Cup over a European power, rallying with two goals in the second half to stun Spain 2-1 on Thursday night in Doha and advance to the knockout round as the unlikely top team in Group E.
"We bounced back after [the loss] to Costa Rica and came together as a unit," Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. "We stayed tough and fought to the end, and that gave us a better chance for victory. Even when the opponent had control of the ball, we showed we could transition from a good defense to a good attack."
